Key result
Noninvasive imaging techniques such as ultrasound, MRI, and CT are being developed to characterize vulnerable carotid atherosclerotic plaques for risk stratification in asymptomatic patients.
Noninvasive imaging modalities such as ultrasound, CT, and MRI hold potential for identifying vulnerable carotid plaques to risk-stratify asymptomatic patients, though they are not yet ready for routine clinical practice.
Noninvasive plaque imaging may refine risk stratification in asymptomatic carotid stenosis; leaves open whether it improves endarterectomy selection.
Ischemic syndromes associated with carotid atherosclerotic disease are often related to plaque rupture. The benefit of endarterectomy for high-grade carotid stenosis in symptomatic patients has been established. However, in asymptomatic patients, the benefit of endarterectomy remains equivocal. Current research seeks to risk stratify asymptomatic patients by characterizing vulnerable, rupture-prone atherosclerotic plaques. Plaque composition, biology, and biomechanics are studied by noninvasive imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, ultrasound, and ultrasound elastography. These techniques are at a developmental stage and have yet to be used in clinical practice. This review will describe noninvasive techniques in ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography imaging modalities used to characterize atherosclerotic plaque, and will discuss their potential clinical applications, benefits, and drawbacks.
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Naïm et al. (2013) conducted a review in Carotid atherosclerotic disease. Noninvasive imaging techniques (ultrasound, MRI, CT) was evaluated. Noninvasive imaging techniques such as ultrasound, MRI, and CT are being developed to characterize vulnerable carotid atherosclerotic plaques for risk stratification in asymptomatic patients.
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